As pressure continues to mount on Dutch head coach, Erik ten Hag amid a stalling Manchester United start to this season’s campaign, the Red Devils have drifted even further out in terms of a potential UEFA Champions League win for the first time since 2009, following last night’s 3-4 loss away to Bayern Munich in Germany.

United, who kicked off their European campaign off the back of a hugely disappointing 3-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion over the course of last weekend, were put to the sword by Bundesliga champions, Bayern at the Allianz Arena last night in Munich, slumping to a third consecutive loss in all competitions. 

Finding themselves down 2-0 inside the opening half an hour despite a relatively bright start, United were forced to claw back after former Manchester City wideman, Leroy Sane found a way under the body of Andre Onana with his effort, opening the scoring.

Latching onto a quickfire double after fantastic work from Jamal Musiala, former Arsenal forward, Serge Gnabry converted inside the box just five minutes later, slotting into Onana’s far corner.

Inside the opening minutes of the second half, ten Hag’s side began what looked to be spirited comeback, with Marcus Rashford teeing up Rasmus Hojlund inside the area, who slotted past Sven Ulrich on the turn – with the help of a deflection.

However, moments later, Harry Kane converted from a the spot to make it 3-1 to Bayern, with Christian Eriksen handlining in the area. 

And despite a late brace from Brazilian midfielder, Casemiro either side of a cool finish from French youngster, Mathias Tel inside the box – United ultimately slumped to a 4-3 loss to Thomas Tuchel’s side.

As a result, you can find online a host of markets offering United as far out as 33/1 to progress from a group containing both Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen, and win the entire UEFA Champions League outright. 

Set for a trip to newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday evening, Manchester United will need to bag all three points at Turf Moor in order to relieve pressure on former Ajax boss, ten Hag – who according to reports, will receive backing from the United hierarchy, despite a poor opening start to the season. 

A sore issue which appears to be rising for United players and staff alike continues to come in the uncertainty regarding a potential takeover of the club from either Qatari-backed ownership, or Ineos header, Sir Jim Ratcliffe – as part of a saga which has rumbled along all summer to no conclusion.

Furthermore, ongoing personal issues with Brazilian winger, Antony, as well as disciplinary proceedings taken against faltering English attacker, Jadon Sancho, has left a cloud hanging over a barebones right wing for ten Hag – who elected to pick Facundo Pellistri to no significant effect against Munich last night. 

And ahead of United’s trip to Turf Moor on Saturday, fans have called for ten Hag to utilize a double-pivot in midfield consisting of Casemiro and summer acqusition, Sofyan Amrabat – with the Moroccan so far sidelined through a niggling injury since his loan arrival from Serie A side, Fiorentina, as fortunes look to change for the Old Trafford club. 

United, who have won just two of their opening four Premier League games this season, have continued their staggeringly poor away form, dropping losses to Tottenham Hotspur and last weekend, Arsenal in London – the latter in a much more positive display despite a 3-1 scoreline at the Emirates Stadium. 

As for Brighton, the high-flying Canaries have won three of their opening four Premier League matches this season, with the aforenoted, de Zerbi once more guiding the seaside club up the table toward European football. 

However, despite a poor start to the campaign for Erik ten Hag’s side, which has been further plagued amid controversy surrounding Brazilian forward, Antony, and former Borussia Dortmund winger, Jadon Sancho this week, bookies have placed United as slight 23/20 betting odds to beat Brighton – who are closing currently at 19/10.

Missing international duty with his native Republic of Ireland due to a slight injury, former Bohemians striker, Evan Ferguson is sure to catch a keen eye if he features at Old Trafford this weekend, betting sites Ireland are currently offering the 18-year-old goalscorer at decent odds to find the net away from home, after scoring a hattrick against Newcastle United last time out. 

Strapped for numbers on the right hand side of a faltering forward line, United have elected to instruct the above-mentioned, Antony to take a leave of absence amid controversy surrounding his personal life, whilst an in-house spat between Sancho and ten Hag has continued to rumble along this week. 

Electing to drop Sancho – who had featured in United’s three opening Premier League games this season, from the matchday squad for last weekend’s trip to Arsenal, ten Hag confirmed that a lack of performance or application during training led to Sancho’s dismissal. 

However, releasing a statement contradicting ten Hag’s claims, Sancho has since been told to engage in a personal training programe, away from the first team squad, after refusing to issue an apology to ten Hag when prompted by United officials.

It is further understood, that United and ten Hag were exploring the possibility of offloading Sancho before the close of the transfer window last week amid interest from the Saudi Pro League amid a heated fall out, however, the former Manchester City youth academy product elected against pursuing a move. 

In terms of new inclusions to a matchday squad for United, Moroccan midfielder, Sofyan Amrabat has been tipped to make his first appearance for the side this weekend in some capacity against Brighton. 

Arriving from Fiorentina on an initial loan deal with an option to buy come the end of the season in May of next year, Amrabat has been touted to feature – as has Danish forward, Rasmus Hojlund – who made a brief, yet exciting and promising cameo against Arsenal last week, and is expected to likely secure his first start for ten Hag’s side after feature for his native Denmark on international duty. 

Despite conceding the opening goal in last night’s 5th round FA Cup clash at Old Trafford, Manchester United managed to overturn their deficit in second half added time, with goals from Alejandro Garnacho, and Fred sending United to a quarter final outing at home against fellow Premier League side, Fulham.

Returning to Old Trafford for the first time since striking silverware last Sunday at Wembley Stadium in a resounding 2-0 win over Newcastle, United paraded the Carabao Cup before last night’s FA Cup tie, with club captain, Harry Maguire lofting the trophy alongside Portuguese midfielder, Bruno Fernandes.

And prior to kick-off, Brazilian midfielder and serial UEFA Champions League winner, Casemiro was heralded and presented with his award by FIFA after his inclusion in the Team of the Year, while Spanish shot stopper, David de Gea also celebrated after breaking United’s cleansheet record. 

However, last night’s outing at home saw de Gea concede for the second time at Old Trafford in a week, with West Ham United winger, Said Benrahma netting in the second half – following a technical difficultly which left UK and Ireland viewers without picture for the Algerian’s goal attempt. 

Resting the likes of Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Fred, Marcus Rashford, and Luke Shaw for last night’s 5th round clash, the initial quartet of names were introduced before the end of 90 minutes, with manager Erik ten Hag attempting to sway the result.

Making an immediate impact, Casemiro thought he had netted from a header for the second match running, however, timing his run just a tad early, the former Real Madrid midfielder’s goal was overturned by VAR after he had strayed into an offside position.

With just less than 15 minutes remaining to save their campaign in the FA Cup, United drew level from a corner, with Moroccan defender, Nayef Aguerd guiding the ball into his own net.

In added time, spilling a shot from Dutch forward, Wout Weghorst, French goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola conceded for the second time, with Argentine winger, Garnacho cutting in on his right hand side just inside the area, and finding the bottom corner.

Booking their place in the quarter final, United then forced a mistake at the back though immense pressing from Weghorst, with Brazilian midfielder, Fred continuing his scoring form – adding a third from inside the area. 

With the results from the remaining 5th round clashes available online as well as other basketball results, United have been drawn at Old Trafford once more for another home clash – taking on Fulham who managed to traverse past Leeds United with a two-nil victory at Craven Cottage last night to boot. 

Returning to the road this weekend following their Carabao Cup success and UEFA Europa League two leg tie victory against FC Barcelona, Manchester United take on the struggling, Liverpool – who managed to record a two-nil win of their own over Wolves at Anfield last night in a Premier League clash. United’s outing with Fulham will take place on March 18.

English Premier League side, Chelsea have emerged as the favored side to coax Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo from an almost certain exit from league rivals, Manchester United in the January transfer window, after an explosive interview with Piers Morgan outlined the veteran’s problem with the club, manager, Erik ten Hag, and executives. 

Ronaldo, who has since left the Old Trafford side to link up with his Portugal national side teammates ahead of next week’s FIFA World Cup return, featured in a sitdown with the aforenoted News of the World alum, Morgan, in a scatching interview, trashing United, current boss, ten Hag, as well as the seemingly dated infrastructure at the club. 

The recent explosive interview falls on the back of a series of disappointing performances for the side this season under ten Hag, with Ronaldo infamously demoted from senior team training after he refused to make a substitute appearance in a win over Tottenham Hotspur back in October. 

Handed the captaincy for a visit to Villa Park in the absence of Portuguese teammate, Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo’s most recent, and likely last outing for the Red Devils came in that 3-1 defeat, with the 37-year-old left out of the matchday squad for wins over Aston Villa and then a visit to Fulham. 

Following the emergence of Ronaldo’s incendiary interview with Morgan, odds have been slashed on his exit from Old Trafford in either the form of a contract termination, or a January move. 

In what appears to be the bet of the day football, Chelsea are backed to pursue a move to the serial UEFA Champions League victor, Ronaldo in the January transfer window, with the Graham Potter side available as short as 4/1 to land the Portuguese native. You can bet on Ronaldo’s future over at Vulkanbet Sports betting. 

A return to boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon is also a potential next destination for Ronaldo, with the capital side available even shorter at 3/1 to resign the former before February 3. 

Linked with a potential move to the aforenoted Chelsea, as well as Napoli and Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window to boot, the Italian side are currently priced as high as 12/1 to sign Ronaldo, while Diego Simeone’s side, who have fallen into the UEFA Europa League, are available at 25/1.

Bookmakers also see a potential return to Real Madrid as arguably the longest shot for Ronaldo, with a Santiago Bernabeu comeback priced as high as 50/1 on most markets. 

Away from club football, Ronaldo is set to lead EURO 2016 winners, Portugal into the FIFA World Cup in Qatar next week, featuring in a group alongside Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea. 

With Brazil current betting favorites to land the Coupe du Monde come December, Portugal, who featured three Manchester United players in the form of Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, and of course, Ronaldo, are sitting as severe outsiders to land their first FIFA World Cup – at 14/1.

Gareth Southgate’s faltering English national side fell at the final hurdle of their most recent entry to a major international tournament on home soil last summer. And with the FIFA World Cup set to roll into Qatar-town at the end of this year, The Three Lions have been backed to go one further with a side chock full of experience, and land the coupe du monde for the first time since 1966. 

The men’s national team, who made it all the way to last year’s EURO 2020 final against Roberto Mancini’s Italian side, failed to defeat the Azzuri on penalties at Wembley, with a trio of misses from Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and then Bukayo Saka, gifting the Italians a victory on enemy territory. 

Set to travel to Qatar this winter for a late edition of the FIFA World Cup, England will and in a group of four featuring alongside Iran, the USMNT (United States Men’s National Team) and Wales. 

Tipped to likely progress through the group stage despite expected competition from both Wales and the USMNT, many England vs. Iran predictions have already backed Southgate’s side to land a comprehensive triumph against the tournament minnows. 

Currently backed at 13/2 to win the entire tournament come the end of December, The Three Lions find themselves third favorites to emerge with the trophy in tow, behind previous victors and holders, France, and South American giants, Brazil – who find themselves places as short as 9/2 odds on favorites. 

Ending their final three UEFA Nations League outings with two defeats and a draw, England were reduced to 10-men against Hungary en route to a 4-0 thrashing at home. 

Travelling to the San Siro in Milan to tackle Mancini’s Italian side again, England dropped a 1-0 loss against the Azzuri, with Napoli forward, Giacomo Raspadori netting.

Clawing a draw against Germany at Wembley, efforts from Manchester United full back, Luke Shaw, Chelsea playmaker, Mason Mount, and Spurs striker, Harry Kane managed to secure England a 3-3 draw after goals from Ilkay Gundogan, and a brace from Kai Havertz. 

Expected to hold their respective own in this winter’s World Cup tournament, despite being placed as the third favorites to win gold, England are tipped to progress beyond the group stage and likely equal their semi-final finish as in 2018 when they were beaten by finalists, Croatia.

England finished that tournament in Russia as fourth place finishers, behind third-placed victors, Belgium, runner-ups, Croatia, and the aforenoted winners, France.

However, with the continued emergence of talents such as the above-mentioned, Sancho, as well as midfield duo Declan Rice, and Jude Bellingham to go with center back force and Serie A winner, Fikayo Tomori, as well as the maturing Manchester City product, Phil Foden, Southgate’s side may even better their 2018 performance.

As usual, Harry Kane is expected to lead the lineup top with the captain finishing the 2018 tournament as the Golden Boot winner with six goals, however, extra firepower in the form of the recently included Brentford frontman, Ivan Toney, and Roma finisher, Tammy Abraham –  to an often lacking forward line back up England’s chances. 

Turning in another splendid performance against newly-promoted, Nottingham Forest this week – which included a spectacular free kick effort, Leicester City midfielder, James Maddison has been backed to find himself a seat on the plane to Qatar, however, it still remains to be seen if the playmaker will fit into Southgate’s often pragmatic style of ball.

In 1855, Charles Goodyear designed and built the first vulcanized rubber soccer balls (footballs), which is the world’s oldest football.  The following picture shows the Charles Goodyear ball that was on display at the National Soccer Hall of Fame which was located in Oneonta, NY, USA.

Oldest Soccer Ball (Football) Facts:

• Designed and Built in 1855 by Charles Goodyear
• Made of vulcanized rubber panels glued at the seams  
• Panels are shaped similar to today’s basketball
• The ball was used for a game between the Oneida Football Club, the first organized team in the US, and a team of players from Boston Latin and Boston English Schools. The Oneida club was formed by Gerritt Smith-Miller and came from the students at Dixwell Latin School, where he was a student. Dixwell Latin merged with other schools over time and is a forbear to Noble & Greenough, an independent school located in Dedham, MA. The game was played on Boston Common, where there is a monument to commemorate the game, on November 7, 1863. The ball became the trophy from that game as shown in the picture above.
• The ball was donated by the family of Gerritt Smith-Miller to The Society For the Preservation of New England Antiquities in 1925. 
• It is interesting to note that when James Naismith developed the game of basketball, the first game was played with – a soccer ball! 

Information and pictures obtained from the  National Soccer Hall of Fame which was located in Oneonta, NY, USA.  

What is the oldest football?

In 1855, Charles Goodyear designed and built the first vulcanized rubber soccer balls (footballs), which is the world’s oldest football.